Thrill-seekers can experience the terrifying attack of a Great White shark on the Jaws Ride at Universal Studios, Florida, or take a sensual journey to the world’s most wonderful seaside cities and discover the ‘soul of the sea’ at The Waterfront, SeaWorld Orlando’s newest attraction. Walt Disney World Resort is the biggest, and arguably the best, amusement park in the world. It contains four sections: the Magic Kingdom, with seven theme regions; Epcot Center, a science and world exhibition center; Disney MGM Studios, a movie and theme park; and Animal Kingdom, an adventure and safari park featuring wild animals, exotic landscapes and thrill rides. Popular attractions include a 13-story free-fall plunge on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney MGM Studios; Epcot’s Mission:SPACE, which recreates space travel and pushes the boundaries of entertainment technology; and the Stitch's Great Escape at Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom.

Blizzard Beach, Disney’s third and largest water park, is set in a faux snow-capped mountain range featuring Florida’s only chairlift, which carries guests to the tip of Mount Gushmore. A number of water slides challenge visitors, including Summit Plummet, the tallest, fastest water slide in the world. More high-speed rides can be found at Typhoon Lagoon. River Country, in Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, is a relaxing water park where holidaymakers can relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings.
SeaWorld Orlando, southwest of Orlando (travel time – 19 minutes), is one of the country’s largest marine parks and features whales, dolphins, sea lions, seals and otters. The most popular shows are the ones starring the killer whales, Shamu and Baby Namu.
Pleasure Island is a high-energy, nighttime entertainment complex featuring seven themed nightclubs, stage shows and live concerts, plus a giant New Year’s Eve celebration every night of the week. It is located in an area known as Downtown Disney, along with such restaurants as Wolfgang Puck, House of Blues and the Cuban-style Bongo’s Cafe.
Cultural attractions include the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, which boasts the world’s largest collection of Louis Tiffany glass. Cornell Fine Arts Museum, located at Rollins College, houses one of the largest and most distinguished art collections in Florida. Other popular sights include Eatonville, just north of Orlando, which is home to the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts; the Maitland Art Center; Orlando Museum of Art; Orange County Historical Museum, which includes a renovated 1926 Orlando Firehouse; and the Albin Polasek Galleries.
Other attractions in and around Orlando include World of Orchids, the first permanent indoor display of its kind in the world; Church Street Station, a block-long entertainment complex in the heart of central Orlando; Gatorland, in nearby Kissimmee; and Wet ’n’ Wild, a water park offering numerous adventurous water activities.

Travel
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is located within 24km (15 miles) of the major attractions and central Orlando.
Orlando Sanford Airport (SFB) is located 56km (35 miles) north of Orlando and handles a number of charter airlines. Shuttle buses and vans, taxis, limousines and rental cars are available from both airports.

Special events
The following is a selection of special events occurring in Orlando in 2005:
Feb 18-20 115th Silver Spurs Rodeo, Kissimmee. Mar 4-6 Kissimmee Kiwanis Bluegrass Festival. Apr 8-17 Florida Film Festival, Orlando. Apr 2-3 Spring Fiesta in the Park, Orlando; Arts in April (month-long arts festival), Orlando. Jul 4 July Fourth Lakeside Celebrations, Kissimmee and St Cloud. Sep 30-Nov 13 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, Orlando. Oct Halloween Horror Nights, Universal Studios. Nov 25-Dec 30 2005 Epcot Holidays around the World (traditional event featuring daily tree-lighting ceremony, themed storytellers, and culminating in a candlelit procession). Dec 10 Kissimmee Holiday Extravaganza.